Woman Told 'Too Fat To Fly' Files Suit Against Airline

Kenlie Tiggeman Takes On Southwest's 'Customers Of Size' Policy

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Updated: 10:13 AM CDT May 2, 2012

Kenlie Tiggeman is taking on Southwest Airlines and its controversial "Customers of Size" policy, which requires passengers to buy a second seat if they can't fit between the armrests, which measure 17 inches across.

Woman Told 'Too Fat To Fly' Files Suit Against Airline

Kenlie Tiggeman Takes On Southwest's 'Customers Of Size' Policy

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Updated: 10:13 AM CDT May 2, 2012

NEW ORLEANS —

The road to weight loss for Kenlie Tiggeman hasn't been easy, and now she's in a different battle.

"I understand Southwest wants everyone to be a certain size, but no one knows, including Southwest, no one knows what that size is," said Tiggeman.

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Tiggeman is taking on Southwest Airlines and its controversial "Customers of Size" policy, which requires passengers to buy a second seat if they can't fit between the armrests, which measure 17 inches across.

"I don't want to encroach on anyone, and I think it's safe to say no obese person wants to encroach on anyone next to them," Tiggeman said.

In a petition and application for injunctive relief, she alleges Southwest violated her "constitutional rights" and engages in a practice of "discriminatory actions toward obese customers."

As a consumer, Tiggeman said she has a right to know the rules at the point of purchase.

"We need to know what the rules are," Tiggeman said. "We need to know if we need one seat or two, because this eyeballing happening at the gate is incredibly discriminatory, and it's so unnecessary."

Tiggeman made headlines last May when she said she was humiliated by a Southwest employee for being "too fat to fly" and was told she needed to buy a second seat.

Tiggeman blogged about her experience and was then contacted by a Southwest executive who apologized, refunded her ticket and offered flight vouchers.

She flew with the airline twice after that with no problems, and then, while using one of those vouchers last Thanksgiving, it happened again.

"Something has to change. I just need some consistency," Tiggeman said.

For Tiggeman, it's not about money. By asking the courts to get involved, Tiggeman said she's hoping others will avoid further embarrassment and confusion.

"On a Tuesday, will I need a different seat? Do I need to wear Spanx? I don't know what has to happen in order to fit everyone's mold. Because one gate agent doesn't have a problem with my size, (but) the next does," Tiggeman said.

She said she has never had any problems with any other airlines.

WDSU News has tried repeatedly to reach out to Southwest by phone and e-mail and had not heard back from them yet.